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Help with dementia

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with dementia (which includes Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia) or are caring for someone with dementia, you’re likely to have questions about what it means, what to do and who can help. This part of our website will give you access to information, advice and support that may be useful.


What is dementia?

Dementia is a broad term used to describe a large group of illnesses that cause a progressive decline in a person’s functioning, including loss of memory and intellect and what would be considered normal emotional reactions. This part of our website tells you more about who can develop dementia, treatment of and research into dementia and what you should do if you memory concerns.

Read more: About what dementia is

Help for people with dementia

There are many organisations that support people with dementia, their carers and family. This part of our website tells you all about the helplines, networks, support groups and other services available, as well as introducing you to a wide range of community care programs that you may be able to access.

Read more: About help for people with dementia
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Help for carers and family

If you’re caring for someone with dementia, this section of our website helps with advice on issues relating to communication, nutrition, hygiene, sleeping, working with the medical profession and behaviours of concern.

Read more: About help for family and carers

Prevention and awareness

At present there’s no cure for dementia, but there are lots of things you can do to relieve symptoms, and delay the onset and development of additional symptoms of dementia. It is important to maintain the best possible health and educate yourself about the changes that may develop and how you can manage them. In this way you can remain as independent as possible and enjoy life for a long time to come.This part of our website will help you with ideas on how to stay healthy, involved and positive, as well as introducing you to some early intervention programs that you may wish to access.

Read more: About prevention and awareness

Dementia and behaviour

As dementia progresses you may notice changes in behaviour that can be upsetting, such as depression, wandering, anxiety and hallucinations as well as aggressive and disinhibited behaviours. Here you’ll find advice on how to understand and work with these behaviours.

Read more: About dementia and behaviour
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Dementia and continence management

A person with dementia may find it hard to recognise the need to go to the toilet, be unable to wait until the appropriate time and may even have difficulties finding, recognising or using the toilet properly.
This part of our website will assist you in finding strategies that can help.

Read more: About dementia and continence management

Dementia resources and useful contacts

Go straight to this section of our website if you want a comprehensive list of organisations and services that offer information and support to people with dementia, their carers and family.

Read more: On dementia resources and contacts
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This page was last updated on: 07 July 2011